Combination meter and switch box protector



Nov. 3, 1936. P. PEVTRI 2,059,742

COMBINATION METER AND SWITCH BOX PROTECTOR Original Filed March 2, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GL Zu mt a.

Nov. 3, 1936. P. PETRI I COMBINATION METER AND SWITCH BOXPROTECTOR Original Filed March 2, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 3, 1936 PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION METER AND SWITCH BOX PROTECTOR Perfecto Petri, New Kensington, Pa.

Application March 2, 1934, Serial No. 713,661 Renewed August 15, 1936 2 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved meter and switch box guard or protection device, to prevent the stealing of electric current by the consumer, a common practice being to stop the meter from recording the amount of current used. This may be accomplished in various ways, as will be fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which show the embodiment of my invention.

The principal object of my invention is to protect the distributor of electrical current from incurring loss of revenue due to a dishonest consumer.

A further object is to provide a means whereby the consumer is prevented from stealing current from the distributor after the service has been discontinued, the meter switch sealed, but the wiring in the building intact.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention,

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved meter and switch box protector, illustrating the relationship between an electrical meter and the switch and fuse box in common use today, but now inclosed in the embodiment of my invention and with the door opened to expose the interior, with one of the guard plates removed.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a metal guard, reduced in size, designed to protect the wiring between the switch box and the meter, which is held in position by the two protruding meter screws, thus secured by wing nuts and sealed by the distributor, and aiding materially in foiling any attempt to obtain current illegally by stopping the meter.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a meter protector to be used on meters already in service and may be readily adapted to either gas, electricity or water recording devices.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical meter, and of apparatus and wiring associated therewith providing, in accordance with my invention, means for preventing a consumer from utilizing electrical current without recording actuation of the meter, by tapping the power lines outside the meter box to by-pass the meter.

To put my invention into practical form, I first provide a metal case I designed to inclose an electric meter 2, switch box 3, fuse box 4 and the necessary wiring, the front of which is provided with a metal door 5 capable of being sealed in a closed position, not shown in the drawings, equipped with a mica window 6 and an opening 1 near the bottom, preferably equipped with a, door 8 to protect from dust and weather, and

when opened the fuse box 4 is exposed to the consumer, in order that a blownfuse 9 may be safely replaced.

When the seal on the door 5 is broken and the door 5 is opened by the distributor of electrical current, the fuse box 4 and the guard plates I0 and H are exposed to view. To make any repairs or adjustments to either the meter, switch box or wiring, it is first necessary to break the seals I2 and I3, remove the wing nuts [4 and I5, and the guard plates l0 and II, thus exposing the switch box 3, wiring, etc. The breaking of the seals by the consumer is obvious to the representative of the distributor and could be easily apprehended since the record of the meter is entered in the books of the company once a month.

If the meter be unenclosed by a tamper-proof container, there are numerous connections which may be made at the meter, in order to obtain current without appropriate recording action by the meter. Even though the meter itself be adequately protected by an enclosing structure, it is possible, in the absence of means inhibiting such procedure, to make such connection outside the meter that current may be utilized without eiiecting a recording operation of the meter. The arrangement shown in Figure 4 of the drawings is purposed to prevent such illegal use of current.

In Figure 4 the electric meter 2 is wired to U a switch box 3 and relay 32 in such a manner as to prevent the consumer from using the current illegally when the meter has been signed off and sealed by the distributor.

Figure 4 of the drawings shows a meter 2, which is to be taken as protected from tampering at the meter itself. The load circuit from the meter has therein a main switch 33, and this main switch is arranged, in its open position, to interconnect contacts l6 and ll of conductors 31 and 38. Conductor 38 is in communication with the solenoid of a relay 32 by way of a conductor l8. Conductors l9 and 20 are connected respectively to supply circuit conductor 34 and. load conductor 2| leading to switch 33. Conductor 20 is completed to a ground 22 by the making of relay controlled contacts 23. Conductor I9 is completed to conductor [8 and the grounded solenoid of relay 32 by the making of contacts 24.

We will assume that the switch 33 has been thrown to load interrupting or open position interconnecting contacts l6 and I1, and that the official seal 44 has been applied to the switch handle. The consumer is now prevented from tapping the outside lines 34 and 35, and making contact with any convenient light socket 36 to obtain current throughout the building, because if he should do so, the current would feed into the relay 32, closing the circuits 3'! and 38 and reversing the consumers load into the main lines 39 and 40, but keeping the meter running and recording the current used.

In the circuit established by energization of relay 32 the meter serves as indicating means, the circuit being completed by grounding. Obviously other suitable indicating means, such as a lamp, bell, or semaphore, maybe introduced alternatively to, or additionally to, the meterin that circuit to indicate consumption of electrical power when the normal load circuit is broken.

A modified application ofmy invention is shown in Figure 3, whereby a simple change having been made in the switch box wiring now in common use, the meter itself is protected from tampering. This is accomplished by providing a metal box 4| which completely covers the meter 2, and by means of the guard, equipped with a sliding plate 43. This device is designed to protect meters already in service.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an electrical meter installation the combination with an electrical meter having a supply circuit thereto and a load circuit therefrom, of a relay, a disconnect switch for selectively making or breaking the connection between the supply circuit and the load circuit, said switch having contacts which in its breaking position effect a connection between the load circuit and the solenoid of the relay, whereby when the load circuit is energized abnormally with the switch in the off position said contacts function to energize the relay solenoid, the said relay having a pair of associated and cooperating contacts arranged to close upon relay energization to complete a circuit from the load side of the meter to ground, thereby causing a recording flow of current through the meter.

2. The combination of claim 1 comprising additionally a pair of cooperating contacts arranged to complete a connection between the substitute meter actuating circuit completed by energization of the relay and the relay solenoid to: thereby maintain the solenoid of the relay energized and the said substitute meter actuating circuit completed upon deletion of the abnormal energization of the load circuit.

PERFECTO PE'IRI. 

